If the name Mobilize doesn’t ring any bells, it is because this EV brand focused on shared vehicles and mobility services was launched quite recently by the Renault Group. After the EZ-1 Prototype city car that was introduced in January, the company presents the new Mobilize Limo, an all-electric saloon specifically designed for taxis, private hire vehicles, and fleet use which is going to make its debut in IAA Mobility 2021 on September 8.
The Mobilize Limo is a high-riding three-box sedan that measures 4.67 m long, 1.83m wide, and 1.47 m high with a 2.75 m long wheelbase. The design is pretty anonymous, although the surfacing, the coupe-style roofline, and the sharp design of the LED lighting units make it quite handsome from certain angles. What is kind of weird is the relatively high ground clearance that resembles a crossover, and the rather small 17-inch wheels compared to the size of the body. The color palette will be limited to Metallic Black, Metallic Grey, and Glossy White, which are pretty common choices for fleet vehicles.
Inside, the Limo looks like the archetype of a modern vehicle. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen are arranged in the same panel in a typical fashion with ambient lighting creating a premium atmosphere. Mobilize claims they used high-quality materials for the cabin with easy-to-clean soft-touch satin finish TEP leather for the seats, plus carbon inserts on the dashboard and faux-metal inserts on the doors. The driver’s seat is ergonomically designed with 8 electric settings.
Given that the Limo was designed for maximum comfort and practicality, there is plenty of room for up to three rear passengers who will enjoy easy access from wide-opening doors, an impressive 288 mm knee room, and a flat floor thanks to the electric platform. Rear passengers also get two USB slots, their own climate vents, reading lights, and volume control knobs. The center tunnel houses a refrigerated storage compartment that will keep their drinks cool, while for colder climates heated seats and heated steering are optionally available. At the back, there is a 411 lt boot. Safety equipment includes 8 airbags and all modern ADAS including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and more.
The electric powertrain consists of an electric motor producing 148 hp and 220 Nm of torque. Clearly not focused on straight-line performance, the Limo can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and has a top speed of 140 km/h, while it offers three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport). The 60 kWh lithium-ion battery is offering an expected WLTP range of 450 km. In a fast charger, the battery can add 241 km of range in 40 minutes. Mobilize didn’t comment on the platform that the car is using, but from the context, we guess it could be Renault Group’s CMF-EV architecture. This is already underpinning the Nissan Ariya and will also be used by the all-new Renault Mégane.
Unlike the EZ-1, which was a concept car, the Limo is a production vehicle. After the unveiling which will take place on September 8 in Munich, a fleet of 40 cars will start roaming the streets of Europe for real-life testing. Starting from the second half of 2022, Mobilize will offer a subscription-based product for professional drivers, including the Limo and all the essential services (charging, maintenance, insurance, warranty etc). This means the car won’t be available for private buyers, so if you hoped to grab one for personal use you are out of luck. According to Mobilize, the ride-hailing market in Europe is set to grow from € 28 billion today, to € 50 billion by 2030.
